Typewriter key connecting devices



Sept. 2, 1958 R. R. SEEBER, JR., ETAL 2,350,136

TYPEWRITER KEY CONNECTING DEVICES Filed Sept 13, 1956. a Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS ROBERT R. SEEBER JR. RICHARD L. BENNETT B LM/W ATTORNEY Sept. 2,1958 R. R. ssEBER, JR., EI'AL 2,350,135

TYPEIRITER KEY CONNECTING DEVICES Filed Sept. 13, 1956 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 2, 1958 Filed Sept. 13. 1956 R. R. SEEBER, JR., ETAL TYPEWRI'IER KEY CONNECTING DEVICES 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 national {Business MachinesfCorporation, New York,

N; Y.,"a corporation of New York ..pplic at i0n. September'13,4956, Serial No. 609,633 8Claims. c1.%197 7 This. invention relates 'to improvements in .typewriting machines "and more-,- particularly .to a p novel connecting -means' between the keys of an I electric typewriter .and. the power mechanism for-operating. the type bars. By means of this; connecting means or'mechanical interlock, it is 4 made possible to operate the j typewriter manually in. the

usual; way and also disconnect the keys so that an automatic word writingoperation "may be performed.

The devices involved'are disengageable connections between typewriter key; levers and'theitrip releasemembers of a power mechanism. The novel connectionis inthe' form'of a short sliding connector with a foot that all -members-arejined"by cross rod of a bail which is. operated by a solenoid for disconnection of all connectors when automatic operation is desired.

Among other advantages, these-devices retain the ease of operation of theelectrictypewriter while providing for automatic word writing control. It was found that when an automatic typewriter'was provided with only electrical key contactsfor manualo'peration, such operation was diificult for the operator because contact control required full release of a key beforeanother key could be depressed. This seriously afiected'the' touch of the keyboard and required extra training of the typist to prevent accidental loss of letter recordings. With the'present mechanical connection between key and power trip lever, there is pos'sible the normal rolling touch from one'key to the next and easeof-lyping is restored. This is an improvement'in'a wordwriting typewriter of .thekind disclosed in Patent No. 2,717,686, issued September 13, .1955, to RobertfR. Seeber, Jr. I11 the'patent the key controls are purely electrical as distinguished from the combined mechanical and electrical controls of the present-case.

Therefore, it is a further objectof the invention to provide in an automatic-word writingtypewriter'the means formanual'and mechanical operation ofthe individual character trip levers.

Another object of the invention is vto provide typewriter controls with both mechanical and electrical operating instrumentalities and a selectingmeans for choosing one or .the other.

A'feature of the inventiorris the provision of a 'slidable connection Which practically eliminateslost motion between ,the'key lever and the trip release member of an automatic typewriter. .T here resultsa firm quick response to key operation.

Another object of, the invention is the provision of imi'orjdual use as a word writing selector under certain conditions and as an ordinary letter typing control means under other'conditions. "In carrying out this object the key controls are provided with 'devices responsive 'both United States Patent normally overlicsga lug on'thecam trip member. Each slide connector is loosely-mounted ona keylever'and proved means forada pting a typewriter key mechanism .key closes contacts to"cause-- automatic printing of the words .A;.PLEAS URE IO. At the time such contacts .areueifectivelto call gthe word selections out of-- storage,

the vfollowing description ..and cl aims and illustrated-in the accompanying drawings, which disclose; by, way i of example, the principleofi the invention and the best mode,

which a i n emp a e .1-9 -aPPlyinettha sp i b p Fig. l is a.sec tional..e1evation view of-the- -automatic typewriter key-controlsand; printer mechanism.

' Fig. 2' is.a-perspectiver view of several connector slides and the bailfor operating them.

Fig. 3. is a side clevation view ,of-the-.slide connector in the .normal posi tion and reac lyrfor -manualoperation of the typewriter.

Fig. .-4 is a viewofthepartsas shown-in Fig. 3 but with the. key xlever ,depressed and the trip cam operated for printing. 7

Figs 5 is a side-elevation viewpf the slide connector-in the shifted-or automatic word'writing positionin which it is disconnecte'd from the .trip mechanism. Since-the key lever does notgcause tripping; oh the single printlever, it. is then free to-.be 'depressed} for electrical selection-of word and phrase printing several printlevers: automatically and sequentially.

Fig. .6is ;a-.v-iew o f the parts .as shown in Fig-55 but with the key, lever depressed for .automatic word-writing selection. ,It is .;no t,df;that the; related print lever trip mechanismis not actuated,by the.key because at such .times it is operated independently and automatically as part of a selected word for. phrase.

It; may he poi-nted out that between .the keys and-the tripping devices for the print mechanism there- -arec= e' lectrical controls. for; automatic word; typing as setforth in the U. S. Patent No. f-2I717,'.68 6 issued to R. -R. Seeber,

Fig. 1 shows the general assembly of the key-lever and printer mechanisms and the wa-ythenovel connections the cam20,--.a trip release member "14 on the operating leverpZZ, and an operating key lever 34, for either closing .contacts 2,c3 for automatic operation or operatingthe trip member 1,4.meChanically,characterized by the .pro-

vision of a slide connector .10 on the keylever, said connectorhavin-g an ,extensionl-3 which. normally overlies a log 15 on the trip member 14 but is disengageable therefrom, whereby the key lever 34 may close contacts 2, 3 m selectautomatic worilltyping withouttrippingthe power mechanism directly.

The printing action of vthe typewriter illustratedsherein and .to which'therp'resent improvements are-applied-is adapted forjpower operation underthe influence ofa constantly rotating power roller 5 3.0 which 'is. driven in ;any well known manner, asby an electric motori.(not shown). Each type face is carried by,a type bar 28 which is adapted to be operated into impression ,making contact with a record receiving sheet trainedaborit alplaten P. Each type bar 2 8 ;is pivoted fon ae type bar segment wire '27 about whichit is rocked under theinfluenceof a.print operatingleverf22'to 'which 'it'isconnecte d by means of a link 26. Eachlever 22 isada'pted'for operationby a 3 power cam 20 which is pivoted to its lever by means of a pivot stud 9. The levers 22 and the power earns 20 are normally, i. e. in inoperative condition, so disposed that a serrated surface on each cam is slightly spaced from the rotating power roller 30. This position of the earns 20 is maintained by means of an associated spring 32 which has one end thereof attached to its cam at a point above the pivot stud 9 and which has its other end attached to a forwardly projecting portion of its lever 22.

As a consequence of the spring tension; the cams are normally biased about their pivot point 9 in a clockwise direction to such an extent as to provide a small space between the serrated surface of the cams and the peripheral surface of the power roller 30.

The upper left end of each lever 22 has a projecting ear from which extends a lateral stud 17 which is adapted to engage in an elongated slot 16 formed in an upstanding ear of a trip release member 14, the opposite end of the release member being guided by an inturned lug 25 on the upper end of the forwardly projecting portion of its lever 22. A spring 18 tends to hold the release member 14 in its rearwardly disposed position.

Each cam 20 has a top extension 21 which ordinarily is held in engagement with a lug 19 on the bottom of the trip release member 14, the spring 32, in the position of Fig. 1, holding the extension 21 against the lug 19. The spring 18 connected to an ear formed on the release member 14 just below the stud 17 and to a lug form on the upper part of lever 22 serves to hold the member 14 with the stud 17 at the left hand end of the slot 16 and also normally holds member 14 up against the lug holding one end of the spring. The member 14 has :1 lug 15 which just clears the short depending lug or extension 13 on the slide connector 10 which is the disengageable connector mentioned hereinbefore.

The trip release member 14 (Fig. 1) prevents repetitive letter printing should the key lever 34 be held down too long by the operator. Under such conditions the lug 15, when moving back to the right, encounters the left side of extension 13 and the entire member 14 is held over to the left while the spring 18 is tensioned and the stud 17 moves along slot 16. Then cam 20 is not tripped by offset 19 because member 14 remains in an ineffective position. Ordinarily, key levers 34 are released quickly enough so that extension 13 is raised to the position shown and lug is free to move to the right and pass under the extension to be ready for another key selection.

When the character key 34 is depressed, the member v14 will be rocked slightly in a clockwise direction by the engagement of the lug 13 with the lug 15. This rocks the cam 20 slightly counterclockwise sufliciently to bring the upper end of the tread into engagement with the surface of the power roller 30. Directly thereafter the power roller drives the cam 20 in a counterclockwise direction and, due to the eccentric shape of the tread on the cam, pushes the stud 9 to the left in a short arcuate path, thereby actuating the print operator lever 22 in a counterclockwise direction about pivot 24 and, through the link 26, operating the type bar 28 to effect an imprint from one of the types.

Slidably mounted on each of the key levers 34 is the slide connector 10 formed with a slot 12 through which is projected a headed pin 11 for holding the connector onto the key lever 34. The upper end of each slide connector 10 is formed with a small circular opening through which is threaded an operating rod 8 which passes through the entire line of connectors across the machine. The lower ends of the connectors are formed with the offset projections or lugs 13 which are normally presented directly above the cooperating lugs 15 on the related trip release members 14. The angle at which the slide connectors 10 are mounted is designed to coincide with the shape of the slot 12 and arranged so that when the con- 4 nectors are shifted towards the right, the projections 13 are drawn over to the right parallel with the upper surfaces of lugs 15 and drawn out of cooperating relation with such lugs without disturbing the position of the release members 14.

Before describing the various positions of the connectors 10 and the effect exercised thereby, it is believed well to point out with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 how the connectors are moved in and out of operating position under control of a solenoid S. In Fig. 2 it is seen that the solenoid S is wired to a pair of contact controls which may be operated either by foot lever F or an automatic word writing key A. Upon either the closure of contacts 7 by the foot lever F or the closure of contacts 6 by the depression of the automatic key A, the solenoid S is energized and a linkage of parts is operated to shift the slide contacts 10 out of the normal manual operation position. .The solenoid S contains a plunger P which is articulated on one arm of a bell crank 52 to the other arm of which is connected a rod 53 pivotally fastened to a side piece 54 of a bail 55 pivoted on rods 56 and 57 mounted in brackets such as 59 on the side frames of the typewriter supporting structure. A spring 58 tends to hold the plunger raised and the parts in the normal position. However, operation of the solenoid pulls the plunger P down and counteracts the pull of spring 58 and pushes to the right on rod 53 to swing the bail 55 in a counterclockwise direction. When this is done, the rod 8 is carried along therewith and all the connector slides 10 are also carried with the rod and shifted on studs 11 by sliding along the slots 12. The amount of. movement imparted is enough to move the downward extensions 13 on the slide connectors over to the right far enough to miss lugs 15 so that subsequently any depression of a key lever 34 is ineflfective mechanically to operate the release member 14 through the lug 13.

Once automatic operation is selected by operation of the solenoid S, then all operation of printing is automatic through the operation of magnets 36 and they in turn are selected by the word writing controls set up on stepping relays or other sequential contact closers which are selected as governed by the closure of contacts 2 and 3 (Fig. l) by certain of the key levers 34.

These contacts 2 and 3 are part of the controls whereby a single letter key, for example the A key, may select the automatic printing of the word acknowledge." These contacts are operated by a rod 60 which extends downwardly from an upper abutting relationship with a related key lever 34 and contacts with an insulation pad on the top contact leaf of a set of contacts. These rods 60 are guided by passing through the comb 61 which also guides the front ends of the key levers. Another pair of angles 62 and 63 provide guiding means for the lower ends of rods 60, and compression springs 64 tend to keep the rods in the raised ineffective normal position.

The sequence of automatic operation is for the operator to close Word key contacts 6 (Fig. 2) to condition the machine for automatic operation and to operate the solenoid S for disconnecting the mechanical connectors 10, and then depress the selected key lever 34 to call into operation desired sequences of contact closures in circuit with several different magnets 36 which then operate rods 42 to cause a selected sequence of cams 20 to be power operated and operate the desired succession of type bars 28 to print a word such as acknowledge.

A manually operable key lever 34 is pivoted for operative contact with each release member 14 whereby downward movement thereof will rock the associated cam 20 in a clockwise direction to project its serrated surface into contact with the power roller 30. Whenever the serrated surface of a cam 20 is brought into contact with the continuously rotating power roller 30, the cam will be rocked in a clockwise direction and because of the eccentricity thereof the point of connection between the front of the typewriter.

print operating: lever 22 and the cam will she moved forwardly, -thereby docking -the print :operating lever "22 about ltS PiVOt POiHE ZQ Such motion-is,.-ofcourse,

a succession of word writing electric-impulses representative of characters :are provided for-energizing electromagnets which controlrrelatedpower cams to cause a series of typing orprinting operations. --It is required .to provide in such typewriters 1 an electromagnetic control for eachof the characterr-key cams, and to this end :there is provided aframe member 38 whichis in the form of a generallyU-shaped channel and which includes mounting ears-Stl-at theends thereof by means of which-the channelmay be attached .to-the side frames of the typewriter with itstopen sidefacingttoward the front or keyboard end ofthe typewriter. '-.Within the channel 38 are disposed a plurality of magnets 36,, one such magnet for. each of"the character-operating cams 20. As best seen in Fig. 1 of the drawing,= themagnets-36 are disposed in two rows in the frame 38.and the-magnets of one row are staggered in respect to.-the, magnets of the other row. This is a convenient arrangement by means of which the magnets are assembled in a unitwhich is so compact as to fit in the limitedspaceavailable at the The magnets 36 are selectively energized to cause the printing of characters. and toperform the necessary machine:functions'during-"the course of the composition.

To the'top .and bottom outer faces of thesupporting frame 38 are :afiixed armature pivot .plates :74- upon .which the armatures'40. are.pivotally mounted. in this manner there are provided twos-taggered rows of armatures having the outer ends thereof pivoted in their related pivot plates 74 and having theinfreeinner ends adjacent each. otherbut in staggered;and ;overlapping relation in an endwise direction. A spring 78.atta ched to the outwardly projecting end of each armature ,40 and anchored at a spring'lug formed in the pivot plate 74 serves to hold its armature 40 away from its related magnet 36 when such magnet is deenergized. A brass strip 72 which is attached to the ends of the armature frame 38, and which is disposed across the overlaping free ends of the armatures and in somewhat outwardly spaced relation thereto, serves to limit the rocking motion of the armatures in a direction away from their related magnets under the influence of the springs 78.

Each armature 40 has associated therewith a cam operating rod 42. The rod 42 has one end thereof in contact with its related armature and the other end thereof in contact with its related operating cam 20. The rod 42 passes through a slot in the wall of the magnet frame 38 and through a slotted guide plate 66 which is carried by a frame member 68 fixed to the side walls of the typewriter frame and in a position directly in front of the levers 22 and the operating cams 20. Each rod 42 is normally urged into an inoperative position with its forward end in contact with its related armature 49 by means of a spring 70 which has one end thereof in contact with a portion of the magnet frame and the opposite end thereof in contact with a collar fixed to the forward end of the rod.

It will be seen from the foregoing that whenever one of the magnets 36 is energized and its related armature 40 is attracted thereto, the rocking motion of the armature is transmitted through its related cam operating rod 42 whereby the cam 20 is rocked about its pivot point 9. This movement projects the serrated face of the cam into contact with the rotating power roller 30, and the lever 22, and its related type bar 28 is therefore operated through a printing stroke as previously described. A

the related magnet cores. overcoming residual core magnetism. Each end of-the magnet.36 isprovided-for each of the type bar assemblies, and .an operating rod 42 is provided foreach of the --ca.ms 20 associated with the respective type bar operating asssemblies.

There isv also provided an armature knock-off mechanism which is automatically operable each time a type bar is operated under the control of one of the electromagnets. To the end that such knock-off mechanism may be effectively provided, the magnet frame 38 pivotally sup ports a knock-off bail which is in the shape of a rela tively wi-de inverted U. The bail, therefore, includes -a generally horizontal portion which is located at the. overlapping zone of the several armatures 40, and on the rear side of such armatures.

Thebail also provides a pair of downwardly extending legs, one-at each end thereof, and the free ends ofthese legs are pivoted on studs fixed to the magnet-frame-381 As a consequence ofthis arrangement, the bail 75 maybe rocked on its pivots to bring it into contact with the free ends of the several armatures, thereby forcing such armatures away from This operation is useful in bail 75 -has attached thereto the forward end of an operating link which extends rearwardly to a lever 81 on a ribbon lift bail shaft 82. Every time the operating assembly of cam 20 and lever 22 is actuated, the lower end of lever 22 operates lever 81 and pushes links 80 to operate bail 80 and restore the armatures.

Figs. 3-6, in showing the various positions of the slide connectors 10 and the trip members 14, illustrate the relative positions of lugs 13 and 15 and the effects of disconnection of the mechanical linkage.

In Fig. 3 it is seen that when slide connector 10 is in the normal position, the extension 13 is directly over the lug 15 of the trip member 14. Then, when the key lever 34 is depressed, the left end of connector 10'is depressed as shown in Fig. 4 and extension 13 presses on lug 15to rock member 14 downward and press against upper'end 21 of cam 20 which is rocked counterclockwise to-bring the serrated edge against the power roller 30 which drives the cam further counterclockwise and the cam in turn rocks lever 22 about pivot 24 to effect printing.

Pig. 5 shows the parts as set for automatic word writing. It is mentioned hereinbefore that when automatic operation is desired, either of the contacts 6 or 7 (Fig. 2) are closed and the disengaging solenoid S is energized to push the rod 53. Turning back to Fig. 5 it is noted that the actuated rod 53, swings bail 55 and it carries rod 8 to the right with all the slide connectors 10 shifting along therewith. The extent of shifting action is evident from the position of slot 12 on stud 11 and is sufficient to move extension 13 away from lug 15 of the trip member 14. This disengaging operation of the connectors 10 sets free the key levers 34 which then may be depressed to actuate contact rod 60 (Fig. 6) and select automatic word or phrase typing without direct tripping of the manual trip member 14. In other words, for automatic typing a key such as the F key may be operated to cause the typing of the Word ENCLOSED without involving the use of the F trip and print mechanisms. This disconnection is evident in Fig. 6 where it is noted that although the key lever 34 is depressed for contact operation, the extension 13 misses the trip member lug 15 and there is no mechanical operation of the trip mechanism. Of course, at such a time, the related cam 20 and print lever 22 may be operated automatically by energization of a magnet 36 (Fig. 1) and actuation of the push rod 42.

Although illustrated in operation with a word writing typewriter, it will be realized that the connectors 10 and associated devices are of general usefulness in a wide field of manual and automatic recording controls.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electric typewriter, a series of character selection keys, a power roller, cams operable by said roller, printing mechanism operated by actuate-d cams, trip mechanisms operated by said keys for placing said cams selectively under control of said power roller, a connector mounted on each of said keys for connecting each trip mechanism for operation by a related key, other means for operating said trip mechanisms and means for disconnecting said connectors when said trip mechanisms are to be operated by said other means.

2. A typewriter of the kind set forth in claim 1 wherein said disconnecting means includes a bail for holding all of said connectors, a solenoid for operating said bail, and electrical selection instrumentalities operable for actuating said solenoid.

3. In an electric typewriter, a series of print mechanisms, a power mechanism, a series of trip mechanisms separately operable to place a related print mechanism under control of the power mechanism for operation, a series of key devices related to said trip and print mechanisms, contact devices separately operable by said key devices, magnets operated under control of said contact devices, means under control of said magnets for selectively operating said trip mechanisms, mechanical connectors between said key devices and said trip mechanisms for operating said trip mechanisms selectively when related key devices are operated, and control means for determining whether said trip mechanisms are to be operated by said magnets or said connectors, said control means including a disengaging means for taking the connectors out of cooperative relation with said trip mechanisms.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 and in which said disengaging means includes a bail holding said connectors, devices for operating said bail to move said connectors to an inefiective position, and an electrical instrumentality for operating said operating devices.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4 and in which said control means includes contacts operated manually for calling said electrical instrumentality into operation.

6. The combination set forth in claim 3 and in which said connectors are slidably mounted on said key devices and formed with extensions normally cooperating with parts of said trip mechanisms but disengageable therefrom.

7. In a machine alternately usable as a typewriter in which depression of one of a series of keys effects operation of a corresponding one of a series of type bars and as a word writer in which depression of one of the same keys effects sequential operation of a corresponding group of type bars, a series of keys, a first set of individual means for operating each of said type bars, a series oi mechanical connections between said keys and related ones of said individual means, a second set of individual means for actuating diflerent predetermined sequences of said first set of individual means, means normally operable by said keys and said connections to actuate corresponding ones of said first set of individual means, other means operable by said keys to actuate certain of said second set of individual means, and means for disconnecting said connections, whereby said keys are prevented from operating said first set of individual means directly while operating said other means.

8. In a recording machine, a series of character printing mechanisms, a series of character keys selectively actuated to operate respective ones of the character printing mechanisms, mechanical interlocks between said keys and said mechanisms, a series of devices each of which is operable to actuate said character printing mechanisms in different groups, and an electrical selection instrumentality for disabling said interlocks and rendering said keys operable for control over said series of devices for group printing in preference to individual operation of the character printing mechanisms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,390,413 Ayres Dec. 4, 1945 2,691,438 Dulong Oct. 12, 1954 

